Last year of doing Christmas.....

[fortyshooter]

2023 the year of madness for gift shopping........ Try to find something simple but unique and it has to come from China. The USPS in Va, is a total wreck as I have 2 gifts coming for my Son's family one made it to Richmond USPS Center and seems to be stuck there and one is on a plane from China and will end up in that hell hole too. Will just wrap a picture of what they might get around Easter of 2024. Now you can't depend on simple gift card since no counts are stealing them from store displays copying the numbers and then sneak them back on a store shelf only to swipe the money the minute they are used.
Wife and I just buy things through out the year and really don't need anything special for Christmas....ran out of gift ideas... plus she has some kind of early dementia coming on and her short term memory is failing and have been to the doctors about that.
Used to be local shops around with unique gifts and shopping was somewhat simple and fun but that's all gone now with not even a toy shop around here as Toys R Us shutdown some years ago here. I don't dare go in the local Walmart!

Just have had my fill of it!

[Shakey Jake]

I feel ya' Forty. I've not been doing Christmas for several years. The wife still hangs on to it, but I've gone full Grinch. I used to send cards to those who sent them to me, but I don't think I'll even do that this year.
Jake

[cooperhawk]

That's sad to hear about. Christmas is a season for friends, family and fun. Lots of good food, presents, and parties.
I guess we're more fortunate than most. Carol goes full out and we all have a good time. Christmas Eve will be a
big family dinner and then Christmas Day will be Mass and then to our daughters for another dinner with the son in law's
family.

We have a great Walmart. Maybe because we're more out in the country. We've been in those third world Walmart's
in the city and I know what you mean. Ours is neat and clean and they employ several handicapped folks who are
always helpful and friendly. Yes, they were open Thanksgiving but the checkout lady told me that prior to their shift
that Walmart had provided a complete Thanksgiving Dinner for them and their families in the upstairs office space.

We still do Christmas Cards and Carol sends a hand signed card to everyone on her client list. In all we mail over 400
cards every year.

[CT_Shooter]

Not having children makes ignoring Xmas easier. Of course, being agnostic helps a lot, too. I suppose those could apply to hanukkah, as well.

My late wife and I never exchanged Xmas gifts during our 44 year marriage; it was really just another opportunity to spend time with family and sometimes with friends.

She died in 2017, and now that I live alone, secure in my hermitage, I have almost totally abandoned it. However, I have continued her tradition of gift giving to our eleven great-grand nephews and nieces. Each year, she would carefully select and buy something meaningful for each of them, often a subscription to an informative magazine like National Geographic or something similar.

Since she passed away, I simply give each of them a silver dollar minted in the current year. Sadly, I don't actually know if they appreciate it or not. None has ever acknowledged it. After the second or third year, my sister-in-law told me one of her grandsons thought of it as getting "treasure".

Ho Ho Ho. 'Tis the season of treasure.

[BrokenolMarine]

We never played the game of spending so much leading up to Christmas that we were paying for it all until 4th of July, though we knew a number of people who would. We bought for immediate family and told THEM to buy for their kids and leave us off the list. Now, that I have retired, we buy for the kids and grandkids and that's it.

[markiver54]

It is the most stressful time of the year if you allow it to be. We try to keep it as simple as possible.

[fortyshooter]

Wouldn't be so bad if there were still the smaller stores around locally to shop in. The box stores are running with few employees and really don't have a wide variety of shopping ideas. This afternoon I was looking for the Hickory Farms sausage,cheese and cracker boxes as they make a nice gift for my range neighbor. The grocery stores used to have those in a display but can't those anymore. Got them Jack Daniels pecan whiskey cake!!

[dave77]

Our local mall used to have a Hickory Farms store every Christmas season. Very rarely go to the mall anymore so don't know if they still have one.

[BigAl52]

Not having children makes ignoring Xmas easier. Of course, being agnostic helps a lot, too. I suppose those could apply to hanukkah, as well.

My late wife and I never exchanged Xmas gifts during our 44 year marriage; it was really just another opportunity to spend time with family and sometimes with friends.

She died in 2017, and now that I live alone, secure in my hermitage, I have almost totally abandoned it. However, I have continued her tradition of gift giving to our eleven great-grand nephews and nieces. Each year, she would carefully select and buy something meaningful for each of them, often a subscription to an informative magazine like National Geographic or something similar.

Since she passed away, I simply give each of them a silver dollar minted in the current year. Sadly, I don't actually know if they appreciate it or not. None has ever acknowledged it. After the second or third year, my sister-in-law told me one of her grandsons thought of it as getting "treasure".

Ho Ho Ho. 'Tis the season of treasure.

CT you could go to the grocery store and get some of those ever popular fruit cakes. I bet you would know then.

[CT_Shooter]

CT you could go to the grocery store and get some of those ever popular fruit cakes. I bet you would know then.

Good to hear from you, BigAl52. But, I don't understand... What's the bet? What's to know? Something about fruit? Cakes? Christmas? Grocery stores?

[Hatchdog]

Our local mall used to have a Hickory Farms store every Christmas season. Very rarely go to the mall anymore so don't know if they still have one.

Ours too Dave, used to be in a kiosk in the aisle. We went to the mall the other day to shop for earrings for our granddaughter and I specifically looked for it as I wanted to pick up a box for the guy who runs the doggie day care we use. Nada. Thankfully Bi-Mart had them and even had them at 30% off.

My wife and I both enjoy fruitcake and our first married disagreement was over a fruitcake. So tradition dictates that we buy a fruitcake every year. Looked at a miniature loaf at the local grocery store and it was $13. Checked Costco as they used to have a nice sized one for less but none. Looks like we will have to pick up the miniature loaf to keep the tradition alive.

[Redthies]

CT you could go to the grocery store and get some of those ever popular fruit cakes. I bet you would know then.

Good to hear from you, BigAl52. But, I don't understand... What's the bet? What's to know? Something about fruit? Cakes? Christmas? Grocery stores?

Whether or not they prefer the silver coins…

[Redthies]

My wife and I both enjoy fruitcake and our first married disagreement was over a fruitcake. So tradition dictates that we buy a fruitcake every year.

I don’t remember what our first “marriage disagreement” was over, but I’m sure my wife does, and I’m sure it was all my fault!

[RanchRoper]

Buddy.jpg (54.57 KiB) Viewed 982 times

[BigAl52]

CT you could go to the grocery store and get some of those ever popular fruit cakes. I bet you would know then.

Good to hear from you, BigAl52. But, I don't understand... What's the bet? What's to know? Something about fruit? Cakes? Christmas? Grocery stores?

CT I was just being sarcastic with the fruitcake idea as noboby I know really wants a fruitcake as they are terrible. Been busy here and was busy this fall at home working at the local University. Trying to help out the neighbor. I did enjoy the work at the college and hope to return when I get back from Texas

[fortyshooter]

Why the last Christmas you might wonder?

My wife has developed dementia and little if much short term memory or memory of things she hasn't done or gone recently.
Rarely do we get a simple phone call or visit from Son to see how we are doing unless something on their end goes down or they need a bit of help.
Then around first of December I am on F'book and get a message like "Are we getting together at your home for Christmas?" WTH is that?
I bust my butt getting the place decorated every year and they come over on Christmas Eve! Had heard nothing until end of last week from anyone and ask a question of F'book again about could you all come around 5 PM and bring a simple dish. Keeping it very simple with couple things since my wife isn't doing any cooking. Never a simple phone call or stop by and they live in and work in town! Need a hand some help without asking...just stop by for a visit for a few.... only on a birthday or parent day. I have tried calling him 4 times this week and no reply....WTH own a phone!!!!!
When my son was young up until my folks or wifes folks passed on We would visit once or more a week and on a weekend and My butt was working 6 days a week.....We made the time. I helped my Son's wife buy her hair salon business which has grown large...I put up the equity for the loan which she did pay back.
So at my wife and my stage of life I see no reason to do a big Christmas here at home with all the decorations any longer. She would not know the difference. Well cleaning up the decorations will be easy....put them on the street for free or in the hopper...I'm done like many of the older folk like me in the neighborhood! Rant over....

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas if you can.

[BigAl52]

Why the last Christmas you might wonder?

My wife has developed dementia and little if much short term memory or memory of things she hasn't done or gone recently.
Rarely do we get a simple phone call or visit from Son to see how we are doing unless something on their end goes down or they need a bit of help.
Then around first of December I am on F'book and get a message like "Are we getting together at your home for Christmas?" WTH is that?
I bust my butt getting the place decorated every year and they come over on Christmas Eve! Had heard nothing until end of last week from anyone and ask a question of F'book again about could you all come around 5 PM and bring a simple dish. Keeping it very simple with couple things since my wife isn't doing any cooking. Never a simple phone call or stop by and they live in and work in town! Need a hand some help without asking...just stop by for a visit for a few.... only on a birthday or parent day. I have tried calling him 4 times this week and no reply....WTH own a phone!!!!!
When my son was young up until my folks or wifes folks passed on We would visit once or more a week and on a weekend and My butt was working 6 days a week.....We made the time. I helped my Son's wife buy her hair salon business which has grown large...I put up the equity for the loan which she did pay back.
So at my wife and my stage of life I see no reason to do a big Christmas here at home with all the decorations any longer. She would not know the difference. Well cleaning up the decorations will be easy....put them on the street for free or in the hopper...I'm done like many of the older folk like me in the neighborhood! Rant over....

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas if you can.

Forty I wish you the best with your wife. Some people let social media run their life. I dont have any of it or want any of it. But I hear you loud and clear of what can you do for me now and not checking in. That happens with friends and family. One way relationships or friendships one of my pet peeves. I just wont participate

[markiver54]

I can relate to some of your frustrations Forty. Especially: " Rarely do we get a simple phone call or visit from Son to see how we are doing unless something on their end goes down or they need a bit of help".
We have looked at each other in recent years before Christmas and said, " are we going to even get a tree this year? " Ultimately, we usually do get a tree for our own enjoyment, but there are really no celebrations like there used to be. Kinda sad.
The reason for the season is the most important though, and that will never be dismissed.

[Sir Henry]

I wanted be become a hermit when I moved to Wisconsin. Seldom does a day go buy where someone doesn’t stop in for conversation and a cup of coffee. I moved here knowing no one and have three invitations for Christmas. I feel closer to my neighbors here that are spread out over miles than my neighbors in Seattle that literally lived 100 yards away. Some of those neighbors I knew for 35 years when I moved.

Funny thing is Christmas here isn’t about presents but more about helping someone.